About

Hi, I'm Deb! I'm so glad you're here to learn more about the journey that inspired this blog.

From Surviving Life...

I created this website because I had reached a point in my life where I was just surviving each day.

I had left my job to care for our new baby and was struggling to adjust and reestablish my identity. My husband was experiencing job burnout that was starting to bleed into his non-work life.

We’d each “recover” from the day by zoning out in front of the TV or our phones for 2-3 hours every night. (Have you been there?) We had no family nearby and only one friend that we saw regularly.

Our family was in survival mode...and I hated it. I wanted to lead a fulfilling life, without regret for what could have been. I wanted to focus on the things that truly mattered and brought me joy, to live with purpose, and to chase my dreams.

...To Truly Living Life

So...I made a choice. I decided to turn off the TV, set down my phone, and live my life with intention and purpose. My goals, in no particular order, were to:

1. Figure out this whole parenting thing.
2. Establish a supportive community of family and friends.
3. Make my faith a priority instead of a footnote.
4. Make mindful and regular efforts to care for my physical and mental health.

What You Can Expect to Find Here

This blog documents my journey. It focuses on the four areas I found essential to a fulfilling life—motherhood and family life, friendship and connection, physical and mental health, and faith and Christian living—plus a new area that reemerged when my daughter started school—career & calling.

The posts focus on providing practical guidelines to enhance your life in each of these five areas. They also address some of the issues you might encounter in each and how to overcome them.

The goal is to never discuss a lofty idea like identity or purpose without providing practical advice about what you can do to improve your life in that area today.

The overall theme is to accept that we're not perfect. It's to tackle the very big goal of transforming our lives, one action and one post at a time.

The Evolution of My Writing & Mission

What started out as a blog to connect with and encourage other moms ten years ago has since evolved into something much bigger! I wrote my first book in 2019 and never really stopped writing them:

I established Brighter Side Publishing in 2022 to expand the size of my team and the reach of my ministry. Since then, Brighter Side has launched new websites, books, clothing, accessories, and toys, and has lots more exciting plans on the way!

Make Yourself at Home!

Want to catch up on what you missed during the early years of the blog? Learning on the Fly and Laughing Till I Cry documents my journey of mothering my daughter from ages one to seven, all taken from this blog's website and social media pages. I’ve been incredibly honored that the book has resonated with so many of you, earning over 200 five-star reviews on Amazon and taking home top honors from the PenCraft and Readers' Favorite Book Awards.

Could you use a little more personal encouragement on your journey from surviving life to truly living it?

My multi-tasking monthly newsletter:

• Shares some more personal insight into my journey.
• Highlights what’s new on the blog.
• Delivers lots of free printable downloads, plus discount codes to my latest books, stickers, and other products.

Click here to subscribe to the newsletter and receive a free gift!

If you're looking for a practical guide to adapt from surviving life to truly living it, then you've come to the right place. Let’s be the people we’ve always wanted to be!